SBC=>ENCOUNTERS

JERRY VINES HONORED WITH BOOK

Called the "Best combination of a scholar and country preacher in the Southern Baptist Convention", Jerry Vines is honored.  Amazing to know this book is being published with a collection of essays on expostional preaching.

JERRY VINES HONORED WITH BOOK

Called the "Best combination of a scholar and country preacher in the Southern Baptist Convention", Jerry Vines is honored.  Amazing to know this book is being published of collection of essays on expostional preaching.

Who Is Your Enemy

"David said moreover, The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, He will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine"   1 Samuel 17:37

David's enemy was the Philistine giant, Goliath.  David knew he was not invincible.  He recognized that the times he was rescued in life, from a lion and from a bear, were times God delivered him.  He credited God.  He did not think his grand physique or cunning or wit or intelligence or education delivered him.  God did.  And he knew his sling shot and stones were not the force that would bring Goliath down.  He knew it was God.

What about you?  Who is your enemy?  On what and whom do you rely for protection? 

Hobby Lobby's enemy is government intrusion.  While they are relying on the court system to help exempt them from the government's blatant violation of their freedom to practice their faith, inevitably, the owners of Hobby Lobby rely on God to fight the ultimate battle.

Death thinks it is our enemy.  However, we who believe in Jesus Christ know that death has no victory; it has no sting.

No matter what trouble or trial we face in this life, the Lord has delivered us.  We may know discomfort, pain and sorrow for a season, but it will not last forever.  Our Savior has overcome the world and in Him we have our protection, our righteousness and peace.  Why do we struggle if we truly believe God is our anchor, our refuge, our hope?

Why do we fear when we see people usurp the power they have in this world?  Do we not know that God is stronger than their strongest lines of defense and manipulation?  God will not be mocked.  God will not let His word to return void.  Our brightest day, our most shining moment, our most notable hour, is but a shadow in the light of God's glory and power.

Some of you who read this blog have continued to read despite the fact that I have not posted anything new.  I have to confess, so much of the junk going on in the world had me wallowing in an apathetic state of "who cares"... what difference does it make what I think?  Who really cares?

I looked at what is going on in our nation and our world and our churches. and I thought, who cares?

God cares.  He cared so much about the decadence, the sinfulness, the pride, the injustice, the hate, the deceit, and greed of man, that He came to earth as a baby, and died on a cross to attone for our rebellion against Him.

I am so grateful for God's mercy and grace.  Aren't you?  I'm so glad He lives in my heart and fellowships with my spirit.  I am so grateful He is my Rock and Cornerstone for life.  I ask you, with God for me, who could be against me? selahV

ALL THE DAYS by Jerry Vines

I received my copy of this daily-devotional book in yesterday's mail.  How exciting that this book arrived just in time for me to begin it on the first day of the new year.  How appropriate that the first devotion for January 1st be entitled: "In the beginning God".

There is nothing we need more than God to begin our new year.  Nothing and no one.

ALL THE DAYS is a simple title.  It's a reminder of my need to seek God in all the days of my life.  I am certain this book will lead me to focus on that truth and take me further along the path of knowing God as I walk with Him this year.  As I read the first, very short devotion that Dr. Vines penned, every sentence proved to provoke deeper thoughts, fresh questions.  I was hungry for more.  When I finished the first devotion, I wanted to read the second.  However, I plan to stay on track and read these individually for each day of the New Year.  I don't want to get ahead of the wisdom that God plans for me in each day.  You see...

I have a tendency to run ahead of God.  I get these grand ideas and think that I am inspired, or led, to do a particular thing, to take a particular road, to move in a particular direction.  I know this about myself, I get in too much of a hurry.  Ever do that?  God has revealed this weakness in me over and over since I became a Christian.  This year, I resolve to restrain my emotions.  I resolve to give God more than a passing thought for the day as I begin each day.  ALL THE DAYS appears to be a book I can depend upon to lead me in that resolve. It is more than a quick-fix for the day or a period in a sentence.  It's more like a comma or a semi-colon.  It's meant to remind me of God's presence in my life and the reason for His presence.  Yeah, I got that out of the first devotional reading.

I love devotional books; I love to write devotionals.  As I read about Dr. Vines' devotional, I found that he had a specific purpose with each and every devotion, and a theme for each and every month.  He seeks, to not only give thoughts for us, but provide a bit more (link to see his purpose), to emphasize more than one verse out of context.  As a pastor's wife, it whet my appetite and made me want to refresh my memory on the beginning of things through God's Word.

"In the beginning God", spotlights and emphasizes the first chapter of Genesis and how our Creator planned our world by creating it and filling it.  Dr. Vines summarizes with the statement that "scientists have come to understand the anthropic principle. It is now recognized that the whole creation was specially designed for people."  People.  You and me.  We were so important to God that He created an entire world of goodness and grace in which we could thrive and enjoy and worship Him.  As I consider that thought, I cannot help but be grateful for this new day in this new year.  Despite the challenges that this world presents me, the inevitable evil that this world will produce in coming days, I am comforted that the Sovereign Creator designed this world so I could live in it and find His protective hand in every detail.

Dr. Jerry Vines is a native of Carrollton, Georgia.  He pastored First Baptist Church in Jacksonville, Florida for 24 years. He served two terms as President of the Southern Baptist Convention and is revered by many Baptists today. 

To get your copy of his devotional book designed for busy believers CLICK HERE.

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According to Russia's Pravda, America's Suffering Has Only Begun

Communism knows communism.  And communism in the Soviet Union buried Christianity beneath a bed of aggressive suppression and brutal consequences.  The declaration coming from Russia is hardly a wake-up call.  Many have been saying these things for years.  Joe Miller reemphasizes the obvious once again:

"In an extraordinary column last week, Russia’s de facto government press arm declared that the era of “Miss American Pie” was over in the U.S. Citing Obama’s reelection, Pravda stated that the “Communists have won in America…”

Why? Because the US is “an illiterate society” that continues to buy off on Obama’s “lies of less taxes while he raises them.” The US educational system is also held responsible, with Pravda stating that it was “conquered by the Communists long ago and history was revised thus paving the way for their Communist presidents.”

Our educational system is described as one that has been taken over long ago by communists.  Reminds me of when Nikita Kruschev banged his shoe on the podium denouncing the United States and saying they would take over America without firing a shot.  Slowly, like termites hidden in the bowels of an oak fortress, communists and socialism has made its way into the minds of people and the agendas of government.  I dare say the only threat to communism may be the rise of Islam.  It doesn't seem to be Christianity anymore.

Chrisitianity is not only under attack, many who profess faith are surrendering with white flags as they do not stand in the gap for folks who are being oppressed.  Oh, yes.  We all know that some of we Christians are just hysterical zealots and right-wing nut-jobs.  How do we know?  The godless thinking communist-pushing leaders in our society are telling us so.  We are just alarmists.  There's no "war on Christmas".  There's no war against religion, freedom of speech, or right to bear arms and protect ourselves from a tyrannical government.  No.  And as Christians battle Christians and eat their own, the world continues to move to silence us all.  Ah, but there is hope.  After all, it only took Russia 75 years to break free of the tyrannical rule of communism that sought to silence the voices in the desert, the highways and the hedges by torture, murder, and oppression.  I hear the warnings, do you?

"Russia lost its’ civil war with the Reds and millions suffered torture and death for almost 75 years under the tyranny of the United Soviet Socialist Republic. Russians survived with a new and stronger faith in God and ever growing Christian Church. The question is how long will the once “Land of the Free” remain the United Socialist States of America? Their suffering has only begun."

The question for us to answer is "will we survive?"  As children's poems are censored from simply telling their grandparents believed in God, and more of our churches rename their churches "fellowships" rather than churches, and more Christians water down the ordinances of God upon true Believers, and greater tolerance for sinful living, I do ask myself, will we indeed survive?  I truly wonder.

At my age, it is doubtful I will see the complete takeover of the United States of America.  However, I have never been a frog in a kettle.  I am not an ostrich, I do not have my head buried in the sand.  I see the lines being drawn in the sand as less and less support is given to Israel.  As our present administration seeks to broaden the radical Muslim Brotherhood in nations which once supported American policies. Until our communication services are rendered useless, I have an obligation to at least mention what the rest of the world thinks will happen to America if we do not "humble ourselves, seek God's face, beg forgiveness, and turn from our wicked ways."  Joe Miller brings us his take on what Russia thinks with his article entitled: Russia's Pravda Declares "Communism Won in America with Obama; U.S. Suffering has only Begun"/link.  It begs the questions:

Why should God heal our land?  Why should He be expected to protect us when we murder 3700 babies every day? Why should He acknowledge us when we disavow Him and condone the sin He calls sin and buy into the nicknames of illness, disease, disorders, and addictions?  Why should He hear from heaven, when we don't hear from the pulpits?  Why should He grant us health when we allow government agencies to demand that Christians pay for abortion and the murder of innocent babies in the womb?  Why should God change our world when we keep changing His message to the world?  Why?

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United States Pastor Jailed in Brutal Iranian Prison

PLEASE PRAY FOR PASTOR BEING HELD IN IRANIAN PRISON. And please pass this message on to others to pray for the U.S. government to get involved and have Pastor Saeed Abedini, a U.S. citizen released and returned to his family.  Abedini's ONLY CRIME is that he believes in Jesus. That is a crime in Iran and is on the level of waging war against Islam.

Abedini went to Iran to visit his parents and family and the government came into their house and arrested him and put him in a prison known for its brutality. They put his family under house arrest. Abedini lives in Texas with his wife and two children. They are without their daddy and husband this Christmas.  Remember his wife and children who wait here in America and pray for his safety and release.  For the complete story, read the link below:

http://www.thenewamerican.com/world-news/item/14007-us-pastor-an-american-citizen-imprisoned-in-iran

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Where Is the Justice?

Can anyone believe that in today's climate of evil, rebellion, and enmity with God, that man can exact any justice?  Can you?

We cringe at the horror brought upon a small Connecticut town by a madman who slaughters little children so close to Christmas.  We read and hear reports that a possible motive was jealousy.  He was jealous because his mother shared her time helping others-- children at Sandy Hook elementary school in Newtown.  His jealousy, and fear of losing his little kingdom, set in motion the senseless murder of innocents.  Adam Lanza's jealousy is no different than the jealousy Herod had when the wisemen came from the East and inquired about the King of Jews and asked where He was born.  Herod decreed that all Hebrew children two years and under be slaughtered.  He was jealous of Jesus.  He was afraid of losing his little kingdom, too.

What kingdom do you fear losing?  What do you cling to in life that separates you from experiencing the true gift of God's grace and glory?  Are you jealous of another pastor, another writer, another leader, another ministry?  Are you afraid of losing your own little kingdom?  Will you slaughter anothers reputation and ministry to get what you want?  Will you destroy to gain temporary admiration and power?  Would you manipulate the "wise men" to protect your kingdom?

God, in his infinite wisdom and sovereign grace, sent a message by way of a dream to the wisemen and they did not return to Herod and share where they'd found the Christ child.  An angel warned Mary and Joseph about Herod's plans.  Mary and Joseph fled to Egypt till it was safe to return to Israel.  Jesus grew in stature and wisdom and favor with God and man.  The government was upon His shoulders then, just as it is today.  We do not battle and find rejection because of our notoriety or power; no, no.  We face the smallest of persecutions because the world hates the Son of God.  Just as Herod sought to destroy the threat of the King of Jews, the world seeks to destroy the threat of Christ in the lives of Christians everywhere.  But they cannot.  The world is powerless in comparison to the Lord of lords, the King of kings.  Justice is not in the world; judgment is upon the world.  Justice is in the heart of Christ.  And that is where we must abide. There is no one who can destroy the kingdom of God.  Not one.  No matter how bad it appears, God is still in control.  In HIM is justice.

"Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this."  ~~Isaiah 9:7

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HERE IS WHAT WE NEED TO DO

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War on MEN versus War on Women... Are They Real?

I have a friend/sister-in-Christ on facebook who, I think, exemplifies the vigilant lady we all need to have in our circle of friends.  Yesterday she posted something I felt worth sharing and with her permission, here it is:

"I think there is a war on men, that is being played out on our TVs: men being routinely portrayed as idiots, while a smarter, more capable woman rolls her eyes, shakes her head, and handles the situation, whatever it is. Even in children's TV shows this is the case. In a recent episode of Good Luck, Charlie, on the Disney Channel, when a girl complained to her mother about how her father was teaching her to drive, the mother replied, "Your father has a very limited area of authority around here. Unfortunately for you, teaching you kids to drive is in that area." When the father asked what else was in that "limited area," the wife patted him gently on the chest and said, 'Barbequeing. That's it.'

After I watched that episode with my daughter, I talked with her about the difference between TV and reality, that her daddy is a very smart man, and he is the boss in our family, not only because he is smart, but also because God says that's the way families should be. I don't know that all mothers are taking the time to tell that to their kids, to help mitigate this image of the henpecked father as the norm. What I don't understand is why men continue to portray these dumb characters. Men are directing and producing these shows -- why aren't they standing up for the image of men in society?? Wake up, guys!!" ~Lori Hope Kingston

I believe I grasp Lori's viewpoint here.  As funny as I've found some of the sitcoms like "Everybody Loves Raymond", and "King of Queens", it has definitely made me cringe at times.  I can't help but recognize the scheming, and the dominant roles given to women.  Men are stupid and women are clever.  The Garden of Eden is still open for business. It seems to me, and perhaps, Lori, that with more and more women being the chosen leaders in our society and even our churches, we may, indeed, be seeing a "war on men".  Of course, this is something I've believed since I woke up from the propaganda of the Women's Lib movement and recognized the insanity of the 70's mindset.  As a minister's wife, I often voiced a strong opinion with ladies who felt the Bible's admonition to submit to a husband was archaic and culture-ridden.  Yet, as decades have passed, I watched a trend become a chronic reality.  It is a hard-driven liberal mission for women in power: to want more power.  Women who don't have it, seek it or covet it.  More and more women do not seem to appreciate the role God gave to man.  Many women find men as obsolete and unnecessary as an outdated wardrobe. Consider for a moment the following excerpt from another article:

"Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg’s recent comment about it being “enough” when all nine SCOTUS justices are women is an excellent case-in-point. Equal opportunity is not enough; the hard left needs affirmation and if necessary, revenge. Regardless, it is interesting to see what Americans think about the radical implications of a more gender-balanced workforce. A heated debate over the proper place of men and women in the economy is long overdue. Women are gaining more influence not only economically, but politically."

So not only do we have the President of the United States pushing a re-election campaign with his "War on Women" rhetoric, we also have two Supreme Court Justices (at least and maybe more), who find it expedient and most preferable that the highest court in our country be filled with Women Only.

Do we not see what has happened in this country?  More women voting in every election--outnumbering men.  More women working in society-- outnumbering men.  More and more women sitting in seats, not vacated by men, but forthrightly "demanded" by women.  Fewer and fewer households where men are the leaders of their children and the protectors and providers.  Less and less spiritual guidance by men, and more and more women assuming the God-ordained role of men.  America is in crisis.  The family is in crisis.  The church is in crisis.

Yes, Lori Hope Kingston, I do think guys need to "wake up".  And I suppose if they can't hear the alarm clock or can't seem to do much more than hit the "snooze button", we ladies who respect the Word of God and see the damage that's been done to our world by the obfuscation of His instructions, must get up, and nudge those sleeping dudes and let them know:  we want men of God to put their pants back on and stand in the gap of the spiritual abyss.  Their authority really does exceed that of "teaching kids to drive" and "barbequeing chicken".  And the usurping of their role in society seems to be taking a toll.

Suzanne Venker asks, in her article War On Men: "...what if the dearth of good men, and ongoing battle of the sexes, is – hold on to your seats – women’s fault?" Suzanne, "author of three books on the American family and its intersection with pop culture", offers some insightful information on this subject and the fact that while modern women still want marriage, there is a reason men don't:

"I’ve spent thirteen years examining social agendas as they pertain to sex, parenting, and gender roles. During this time, I’ve spoken with hundreds, if not thousands, of men and women. And in doing so, I’ve accidentally stumbled upon a subculture of men who’ve told me, in no uncertain terms, that they’re never getting married. When I ask them why, the answer is always the same.

Women aren’t women anymore." ~Venker

Why don't older Christian ladies heed Scriptural admonition to teach the younger women that it's really not a man's world; it's our world?  that it's God's world.  There is an order God sees that best serves the world He created.  If modern women truly want to have men in their lives, they need to be women, too.  If not, then take another bite of that proverbial "apple" ladies.  Let the war rage on.  See where that takes you.  selahV